The standard Veloster is interesting to look at and reasonable to drive. The SR Turbo is the version that makes good on the visual promise.
Hyundai fitted a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 150kW and 265Nm. Those figures place it squarely in hot hatch territory. The six-speed manual is the one to have, though a dual-clutch auto is also available.
The SR Turbo sits lower and wider on 18-inch alloys and the suspension tuning reflects its performance intentions. It corners with more intent than the standard car and the steering firms up enough to feel engaged.
Throttle response is strong and the turbo boost arrives earlier in the rev range than you might expect from a unit this size. It doesn't have the linear power delivery of a naturally aspirated engine, but the hit when it builds is satisfying.
The Brembo brakes on the manual variant are a highlight. Confident and progressive, they're better than anything this car's price demands.
Among the affordable hot hatches currently on sale, the Veloster SR Turbo sits in an interesting position. It's not the most polished, but it has a personality that's harder to ignore than the alternatives.
